Liam stood in the luxurious hotel where he was staying, and the three merchants gathered there were:
Thomas from the Humphrey Trading Company, who had the longest relationship with Liam.
Elliot from the Clave Trading Company, who did business in the capital planet.
Patrice from the Newlands Trading Company, who conducted extensive business throughout the empire.
All three were quite anxious.
"Is everything going to be alright? The Banfield family's main product is rare metals. If we can't trade them, it will be a huge blow."
As Thomas looked worried, Patrice responded with frustration.
"It's a huge blow for us too. My position within the Newlands Trading Company is at risk. Some of the executives are even saying I should be let go immediately."
Elliot appeared calm but was clearly anxious inside.
"The same for us. The executives are discussing a change in leadership. Still, to make Prince Linus an enemy—what on earth are they thinking?"
The three were being thrown into confusion by Liam's incomprehensible actions.
However, Thomas, who had experienced many things and was familiar with conflicts involving Liam, said:
"However, Lord Liam is a man of honor. There's also the matter with Lady Rosetta. Perhaps this time is no different."
Patrice snorted.
"I can't afford to have him collapse over such a trivial sense of duty. It's proof that I misjudged him."
Their enemy was not a noble family like the Berkley family but a prince vying for the throne.
Things couldn't be handled as they had in the past.
Moreover, the nobles of the Linus faction were also against them.
Liam alone couldn't do anything about it.
Elliot's eyes were cold.
"This is something we need to seriously consider."
While the two were considering abandoning Liam, Thomas had a different perspective.
"I think Lord Liam has something in mind for this matter."
"What do you mean by 'something'?"
When Elliot asked, Thomas struggled to answer.
But he felt that Liam was up to something.
"I don't know, but something big—"
Just then, Liam entered the room with heavy steps.
"Thanks for gathering!"
Seeing Liam's smile, Patrice and Elliot forced smiles.
"You seem to be in a good mood, Lord Liam, given the situation."
"It doesn't seem like you're in a conflict with Prince Linus."
Liam was completely unfazed by their pointed remarks.
"The second prince? He's irrelevant."
He had never even considered him a threat.
Liam sat on the sofa, and Thomas, replacing the tense Patrice and Elliot, asked:
"What do you intend to do about this, Lord Liam? We've heard that economic sanctions have been imposed on your territory."
"Economic sanctions? Oh, that. It's the result of the second prince declaring war after I announced my full support for the third prince."
The three felt a chill run down their spines at this.
Liam smiled.
"I'm going to make Prince Cleo the emperor. You all need to help me."
Thomas felt dizzy.
What is this man saying? For a mere earl to decide the emperor is not just disrespectful but outrageous.
"However, is that really possible? To begin with, with the economic sanctions, Lord Liam's income—"
"I have a few ideas. The empire isn't our only trading partner. The world is vast—there are plenty of potential trading partners."
Thomas's mouth opened and closed.
"Does that mean you plan to sell the empire's designated rare metals to other countries? Even a minor mistake could result in a serious crime!"
Some nobles did sell rare metals to other countries, but in small quantities, and they did it secretly.
However, the amount of rare metals handled by Liam's territory was enormous.
If such a large quantity moved, the empire would notice immediately.
"It's Prince Linus's fault for declaring war on me. I don't intend to become a criminal. I'll just deal with metals and goods that aren't designated. Thomas and Patrice, haven't you traded with foreign countries before?"
Thomas, who had traded with various countries before becoming Liam's merchant, had connections.
"Yes, but regular trade would be problematic."
Patrice agreed.
"We don't have strong connections either. Finding trading partners will be difficult."
Would there even be countries willing to trade with them, especially with the empire?
Even if there were, could they trade openly?
They were at war with neighboring countries, and such actions could be seen as aiding the enemy.
The military wouldn't stand idly by.
Elliot, however, smiled at the two worried men.
"There is a way, Lord Liam."
"You seem more enthusiastic, Elliot."
Liam turned to Elliot, urging him to speak.
Elliot shared a rumor he had heard in the capital.
"This is a rumor among the court nobles in the capital, but it's believed to be highly credible. It seems that the countries surrounding the empire are experiencing internal problems."
"Go on."
Liam seemed interested.
"They are gathering all sorts of materials for the war, even seeking cooperation from the empire, their enemy."
They were in a desperate situation.
The upper echelons of the empire were aware of this.
One reason why Calvin and Linus were intensifying their factional disputes was that the surrounding countries couldn't act on a large scale.
They were taking advantage of the inaction of the surrounding countries to fight over the succession.
"What about the empire's military?"
"They are neither cooperating nor attacking. They don't fully understand what's happening, but something is definitely going on."
Thomas, listening to Elliot, thought:
(This is it. Sometimes, it seems as if the heavens are on Lord Liam's side. For the surrounding countries to be in such a state during this critical moment—this is truly a stroke of luck.)
If the situation were normal, Liam might have been in trouble.
It seemed as if some greater force was helping Liam win.
"Help the surrounding countries so that you three can profit. I'll provide the goods."
When Liam said this, Patrice, having finished his calculations, smiled.
He was confident of making a profit and seemed to be enjoying the situation.
"I'll prepare a list. But first, I need Lord Liam's assistance."
"My assistance?"
"For our protection. A few hundred ships will do."
Elliot looked a bit disappointed.
"My connections are limited. I can help prepare the goods, but I need more personal protection. The executives are causing a commotion."
Liam nodded and immediately gave orders to prepare the protection.
"Thomas, you need protection too, right?"
"If you could."
"Of course. I can't afford to lose you."
Liam left the room to discuss the details with the military, but the three remaining men began discussing the potential profits.
Elliot immediately confirmed the necessary supplies.
"If rare metals are out, we'll have to use other goods. If we prepare a large quantity, Prince Linus will eventually find out. We need a cover."
"Not a cover, but there are nobles among our trading partners who need supplies. We can sell to them and have an excuse. Also, I want to handle the choice of trading partners."
"To you? Someone you're close to?"
"Thomas and I will be on the front lines. Deciding the trading partners should be within our authority."
"Shouldn't we say 'the most profitable' instead?"
The two seemed more lively than before.
Thomas also joined the conversation.
"I'll talk to some of my previous trading partners. Still, the situation around the empire has suddenly become chaotic."
It was unsettling.
While internal conflicts weren't uncommon, it was rare for large-scale ones to occur simultaneously.
Patrice had an idea.
"Right! The empire's military! There are fleets within the empire's military that are tired of the prolonged conflict. If we can secretly negotiate a ceasefire, we can gain favor with the empire's military!"
The empire's military could also use a break.
Not everyone wanted to fight, and the military genuinely needed a breather.
Elliot had a few contacts in mind.
"I'll talk to some acquaintances. But will the pro-war faction remain silent?"
"We can tell them that we're just observing the situation before a major offensive. They'll understand."
The actual situation was unclear, but their instincts told them there was an opportunity.
Moreover, they had no other options.
If Liam lost, their positions and lives would be in danger.
They needed to overcome this crisis at all costs.
And there was hope.
All they needed to do was seize victory.
Thomas warned the enthusiastic two.
"Don't be too flashy and anger Lord Liam. He is sensitive to matters of honor. If he finds out you're trading with someone without a just cause, who knows what will happen."
Patrice quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Of course. We'll thoroughly investigate before making any deals."
Elliot agreed.
"We can't just focus on profit and choose the wrong partners. But I think he'll understand if we choose partners that are convenient for the empire. Lord Liam values practicality."
Liam had told them to make a profit.
He understood how merchants operate.
He wouldn't ask them to do business based on honor and duty.
"That's true, but based on his past actions, it's better not to choose the wrong partners. If he deems someone an enemy, he can be ruthless, like with the Berkley family."
The two respected Thomas's long-standing relationship with Liam.
"Alright. Let's support those with a just cause. It's convenient for us if they fight, and we can gain favor and gratitude."
Patrice's suggestion was met with a nod from Elliot.
"I support whoever you two choose. Just make sure to choose carefully."
In other words, the responsibility was on them.
Elliot smiled.
"Luck is on our side. This is very important. Lord Liam is fortunate in this crucial moment. While there are still concerns about the third prince, the start is promising."
For the three, it was crucial that Liam remained strong.
Patrice agreed.
"Even if we fail, this is a chance to open branches in foreign countries. I'm happy to participate."
Establishing connections with other countries would be very profitable.
Additionally, if they could help Prince Cleo, who no one had considered before, win, the rewards would be enormous.
Patrice and Elliot were now interested in this gamble.
---
Ifukochan (°д°): "—It's long! And complicated, so summarize it in three lines."
Bryan (・ω・｀): "Thanks to someone, foreign countries are in chaos, and we plan to profit from it. In three lines—
Economic sanctions are bad.
We can profit from the chaos in foreign countries!
The guide is really cool—"
Ifukochan (゜∀゜): "This is a moment to say 'Good job, guide!'"